Sprawled across two city blocks not far off busy Collins Avenue, the Bass Museum of Art is one of the more tranquil and enriching pleasures adjacent to this northern section of South Beach that makes for an interesting and very different diversion away from the usual outdoor and entertainment life nearby.
Along with the excellent variety of permanent works of both New and Old World origin on display here, the Musuem has a number of visiting exhibits at any given time that make more visits here always worthwhile. Their three current visiting exhibitions are:
VOOM PORTRAITS Robert Wilson - a provocative exhibition of high-definition video portraits by epochal avant-garde artists Robert WIlson. Portraits of of 38 people and animals, including celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Brad Pitt and Robert Downey Jr. are presented on large-scale screens and accompanied by oiginal musical scores. (Now through August 3, 2008).
Splendor in The Bass: The Portraits - integrated with the Wilson exhibition, this installation highlights aspects of the original John and Johanna Bass founding donation to the museum, and features traditional portaiture from the past five centuries to the present. Works include 17th Century Italian, Flemish and Dutch masters including Van Dyck, van Musscher, as well as British portraitists in the Grand Manner such as West, Romney and Hoppner. (Now through October 19, 2008).
20th Centry Spanish Drawings from the FUNDACION MAPFRE Collection - an exciting exhibition of over 50 drawings by Spanish and other artists internationally whose careers were impacted by Spain. Sketches and illustrations by artists such as Pablco Picasso, Joan Miro, Juan Gris, and Picabia are on display. (Now through November 2, 2008).
The museum also hosts a wide mix of workshops, concerts, lectures throughout the year. The museum’s shop sells an eclectic of art, architecture and photography books, folk art from around the world, and decorative gift items and jewelry.
Admission: $8 general; $6 seniors/students; free - members & children under 6. Check the website for museum hours
___________________________________________________________________________
Bass Museum of Art – 2121 Park Ave. (in Collins Park), Miami; Tel: (305) 673-7530